Tuesday, January 28, 2014

President touches on topics close to SF in State of the Union

First Lady Michelle Obama waves from her box before President Barack Obama's State of the Union address on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday Jan. 28, 2014. Mayor Ed Lee can be seen two rows behind the first lady.

Sprinkled throughout President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address Tuesday night were references to topics that many San Franciscans likely have heard about lately: proposals to increase the minimum wage and technology companies helping to boost the economy.

Sitting in the audience was Mayor Ed Lee — who has raised those issues locally. The mayor was one of 24 people invited to sit near first lady Michelle Obama.
During the portion of the speech covering domestic politics, policies and the economy, the president specifically mentioned tech startups being a major driver of new jobs. He also called on governors and mayors to move ahead with policies to increase the minimum wage instead of just waiting for Congress to act.

Lee has proposed a ballot measure that could increase The City’s minimum wage. He has mentioned an amount of up to $15 per hour.

“I couldn’t agree more with President Obama’s laser focus on economic opportunity for all American families,” Lee said in a statement. “As our President outlined his priorities for our country, he has set his sights on creating more jobs, growing the overall U.S. economy, improving the health of all Americans, passing immigration reform and moving our nation forward.”